Context
The Federal Digital Academy, established by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (Bundesministerium des Innern – BMI) in Germany, is driving digital transformation within the public sector. This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s ‘Digital Policy Goals’, a broader political agenda aimed at modernising government operations. The ‘#digitaljourney’ qualification programme is a key component of this strategy.
Objectives
The programme targets senior leaders from across various public agencies. Recognising the hierarchical structure of public administration, which can hinder change, #digitaljourney brings together leaders from different departments. This fosters cross-agency networking and collaboration, crucial for overcoming fragmentation and developing a unified vision for digital transformation.
Resistance to change is another hurdle the programme addresses. Traditional work processes and scepticism towards new technologies can create roadblocks. #digitaljourney aims to raise awareness about the necessity and benefits of digital transformation, both among managers and employees. This empowers participants to drive change within their organisations.
The programme goes beyond simply imparting knowledge of digital technologies. Recognising the need for change management skills, it equips participants with practical tools to drive transformation effectively. Furthermore, #digitaljourney fosters collaboration across agency boundaries. By facilitating the exchange of experiences and best practices, it allows leaders to address common challenges and develop collective solutions.
Implementation
Evaluation results show a significant increase in their ‘digital attitude’, indicating a more positive outlook towards digital tools and innovation. Even more impressive is the substantial improvement in participants’ ability to drive digital cultural change within their agencies. This translates into concrete actions, as evidenced by a rise in the number of participants actively promoting digital transformation.
Beyond statistical data, the programme highlights the role of participants as ‘enablers, supporters and catalysts’ for digital change. The success in empowering over 30 agency managers within a two-year period underscores the programme’s far-reaching impact on modernising public administration in Germany.